Learning to Live Again
Chapter 17
Libby hated lying to Mike all week, especially as he become increasingly depressed as the week went by. He was dreading Hannah's birthday, not knowing he would finally be reunited with her.
Joey had actually spoken with Hannah on Thursday and explained her new situation. She was thrilled. She knew Mike was not her biological father, but didn't seem to mind; telling Joey that he was the only person who had ever loved her.
The plan was, a caseworker from Florida would fly with her to a nearby city, see that she was reunited with Joey's sergeant, Bob and his wife and they would bring Hannah to spend the night at Joey and Tamara's. Then they would bring her out Saturday morning first thing.
Tom and Sasha arrived Friday afternoon and Mike settled them in another guest room he had on the other side of the house, thankfully. Libby liked the other couple and could tell they adored Mike. Bobby had made Mike a book in class, full of pictures and little notes.
Mike and Tom grilled steaks out on the patio, giving Libby a chance to visit with Sasha. She could tell they were polar opposites, but Sasha was very warm and friendly with her, telling her she was glad Mike had found someone. She apparently didn't know the reasons for their marriage.
"So, Tom told me you were a third-grade teacher. What a challenge. Not sure I could do it." Sasha said as she mixed a salad.
"It is a challenge, but I love it. This is my tenth year, teaching. Mike told me you were in the Navy with him, but in Intelligence? I guess I am not very familiar with you would do and I apologize for that." Libby said.
"Its alright. It isn't very publicized, and it is hard to explain. One day was never the same as the next." Sasha explained.
"Well, in that one small way; its like teaching." Libby told her with a smile.
"I was shocked when Tom told me Mike had gotten married. It was so sudden and surprising, but we are happy for you all. And Bobby is a sweetheart. He sure adores you and Mike." Sasha remarked.
"We are still working on the adoption. It's a process." Libby said.
"I bet so. Will you and Mike have kids?" Sasha asked.
"No idea. Maybe. We'll just have to see what happens." Libby said, not committing. She didn't know what would happen, but she and Mike were certainly not doing anything to prevent a pregnancy, and they were doing it a lot.
"I hope Mike can finally find some happiness. I never knew Christine, but from what Tom has said, she was a piece of work." Sasha remarked.
"That's what I've been led to believe, but Mike seems to still really love her, so I don't say a lot." Libby told her.
"Tom said that Christine was never happy no matter what Mike did. She would want him home, so he tried for a home port, and then she was upset that he was home so much and not making as much money. And she treated Hannah horribly. From what I understand, Mike was always worried when he was deployed." Sasha explained.
"Mike has alluded the same thing to me." Libby agreed.
"I'm not a mother, so I guess I don't understand." Sasha said.
"Me either, but Mike seems to have really loved Hannah." Libby remarked.
"He does. Tom was worried about him, even with you and Bobby here. He makes a point to come down here on all the kid's birthdays. Maybe that'll get better for Mike. He'll still grieve, of course; but he will have something to keep him going. After he retired, we were afraid that he would withdraw from the world, but he seems to have really set up a life here. Its good for him." Sasha said.
"He seems to like to have people to belong with. I don't have a lot of family, but he mixes well with my brother, sister-in-law and their kids. While my brother was in the hospital, we took care of their kids." Libby said as the men came back in with Bobby trailing behind them. Mike smiled, but there was some sadness in his eyes. Within twenty-four hours, it would get better.
"Steaks are done." Mike said as he sat the plate on the table. Bobby was eyeing it, hungrily.
"Potato salad and green salad is done too, and here's the bread." Libby said as she handed Mike the bread basket. She and Sasha carried the salads. The table was already set and Tom poured the drinks. Red wine for the adults and a glass of milk for Bobby.
They kept the conversation pretty light over supper and afterwards. Bobby seemed to have sensed Mike's mood and was staying close to him. He cuddled close to him on the couch and Mike put him to bed. He spent longer than normal with him. Libby made sure Tom and Sasha were settled, locked up, and then went to check on Mike. Bobby was sound asleep, but Mike was sitting next to him on the bed with an arm around him and was staring into space.
"Mike, Tom and Sasha are settled, house is locked up. Why don't you come to bed?" Libby suggested.
"Yeah, I should. Tomorrow will be exhausting. It always is." Mike said as he gently laid Bobby down, kissed the top of his head, covered him, shut the bedside lamp off and followed Libby out.
They got ready for bed, and normally Libby would have laid her head on Mike's chest, but he was entirely too restless. He tossed and turned. Joey had texted that Hannah was at their house and that she was excited for the next day. Part of Libby wanted to wake Mike up and tell him that his long-lost daughter was five miles away, but he would get out of bed, drive to town, and wake the young girl up.
The next morning, Libby purposely got up early and started a big breakfast. Mike was in a sour mood and Bobby stayed inside, helping her mix pancake batter and turn bacon and sausage. Tom and Sasha were both milling around when Libby heard Joey and Tamara's SUV pull in. She knew Mike was in the barn, and asked Sasha to watch the pancakes. Libby walked outside, made eye contact with her brother and then walked to the barn. Mike was patting down a young foal that had been born a week or so before.
"He's coming along well. He's a beauty." Libby said. She was nervous.
"Yeah. I was thinking he'd make a good horse for Bobby. He has some growing to do, but they can grow together." Mike said. He gave the foal another pat down and looked over at Libby.
"I agree. So…you maybe mad at me after I tell you this, but I got curious about Hannah…Mike, to cut a long story short, Joey found her in Florida. She was in a group home in Florida. I don't know a lot of details, but she just got here. Joey and Tamara brought her out." Libby explained. She was standing close enough to put both hands on Mike's waist and watched the emotions on his face play out. First disbelief, then shock, and then fear.
"Does she know…that I'm not her dad?" Mike asked.
"From what I know, yes; but she is thrilled to be reunited with you. She told Joey that you were the only person to ever love her." Libby told him. She was not sure what Mike would do. He could be really mad at her for looking or for not telling him. Instead, he pulled her closer and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"Thank you. We'll talk about this in a minute. I want to see Hannah." Mike said before grabbing her hand and leading her outside. Standing next to Joey, was a short, brunette girl. She had a beautiful smile and as soon as she saw Mike, she ran for him and jumped into his arms.
"Its really you! I thought maybe they were lying to me." Hannah said, sobbing into Mike's chest. Libby was pretty sure, she noticed some tears streaking down Mike's face, into Hannah's long, brown hair.
"Mike; I am going to go inside and explain all this. Breakfast is about ready." Libby said, touching Mike's shoulder as she passed. She and Joey walked up to the house and let themselves back in. Tamara had already taken the kids in and was getting breakfast dished up. Libby looked and smiled at Mike and Hannah talking in the yard.
"Your sister-in-law explained everything. What an amazing thing to do. I'm sure Mike is thrilled." Sasha said.
"I think so. Bobby, are you okay?" Libby asked, having noticed how upset the little boy seemed.
"Does it mean that I'll have to go back to my dad? I don't want to! I love you and Mike." Bobby questioned as the tears overflowed.
"Bobby, your dad is in jail and not getting out anytime soon. Libby and Mike are working on adopting you. I don't think they'll go back on that anytime soon." Joey explained to the little boy. He was crying into Libby's stomach and she was rubbing his back.
"That's right. This is all new, but we love you too. We'll make it all work, I promise." Libby promised.
"Are you sure?" Bobby asked as he pulled away from her. His face was tear-streaked and he was scared.
"I am positive. Now, let's sit down for breakfast. Mike and Hannah will be in soon. Don't you worry!" Libby said as she tapped Bobby's nose. She could only hope that Hannah being there didn't change things too much for Bobby.
